The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a statutory health regulatory body mandated to protect the public and guide the professions by ensuring that healthcare practitioners are fit to practise their profession.

Established by Section 2 of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974, professionally and ethically the HPCSA operates as a juristic person empowered to perform only those functions defined by legislation. Through this mandate, Council regulates the scope of practice of health professions, ensures compliance with professional and ethical standards, and provides structured processes for oversight, accountability and disciplinary measures.

Together with the 12 Professional Boards under its ambit, the HPCSA is tasked with overseeing the education, training, and registration of health professionals. Council also ensures that practitioners conduct themselves ethically and that complaints are investigated thoroughly, and that disciplinary action is taken when necessary.

Through its regulatory mandate, the HPCSA continues to play a critical role in safeguarding the public and guiding the health professions in South Africa.